The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) today began the inaugural Fort Worth cadet class of The Texas Emergency Management Academy.
25 cadets have embarked on their eight-month journey in this first of its kind program in the nation operated by TDEM. This marks the Academy’s first offering in Fort Worth and follows the successful launch of the fourth cohort in San Antonio in August. Graduation for Class 5 is scheduled for Spring 2026.
“This expansion of the Academy reinforces our commitment to developing highly trained emergency management professionals,” said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. “By bringing this program to North Texas, we’re opening new doors for those called to serve our communities and strengthening our statewide readiness to respond when Texans need it the most.”
This cadet class brings a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds, including military service, meteorology, public health, airport operations, higher-education, and expertise in local, state, and federal emergency management. Enrollment for this cadet class was expanded to include state officials with emergency management roles in Texas.
Cadets in the program complete approximately 1,400 hours of immersive classroom and field-based training across all phases of emergency management: preparedness, response, recovery, and hazard mitigation. Instruction is delivered by subject matter experts, integrating innovative technologies and real-world exercises to prepare cadets for service in emergency management roles across Texas and the nation.
“The Academy continues to grow as a cornerstone of our workforce development,” said TDEM’s Training Division Chief Kade Long. “Each new class strengthens our ability to respond effectively to emergencies statewide, preparing the next generation of emergency managers to lead with skill, compassion, and integrity.”
Since its inception, the Academy has received more than 525 applications from 35 states and four countries. More than 60 cadets have successfully completed the rigorous curriculum.
Graduates leave with in depth knowledge of Texas emergency management law, disaster planning, finance, resource staging, incident management, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) coordination, hazard mitigation, disaster recovery, resource requests, operations technology, volunteer management, wildland firefighting, public information, private sector partnerships, and other key aspects of the discipline.
In addition to multiple nationally recognized certifications including FEMA’s Professional Development Series, Advanced Professional Series, the National Emergency Management Basic Academy, and FEMA’s Continuity Excellence Series Level I Professional Continuity Practitioner, graduates also earn Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification and achieve National Registry Certification.
Additional information about The Academy is available at tdem.texas.gov/academy.
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